Sunday, May 2, 2010

before more galapagos perhaps a little culture overview?

Ok so I guess I never gave the run down on how things happen here. Here are a few little quirks and phrases

1. people are usually late...no suprise we are probably one of the only countries who are on time

2. People use the word America/Americans for people here (naturally) so people could be offended when I say I'm from America or what have you. but i've never ran into this problem

3. There is a lot of soup

4. Sometimes there is meat in the soup but the meat has a bone...I never know the proper way of eating it

5. the meat is very tough...I think Ecuadorians have stronger teeth or something I can never rip it to chew a smaller piece.

6. Catcalling is common and many women whom are not cat called are actually offended. common calls: hola nina, guapa, princessa etc

7. I'm a staggering 5 feet 4 inches and taller than many men here.

8. People point with their lips

9. a finger wag is also a common way to say no

10. they dont' eat peanut butter and jelly. :O.............. and peanut butter is used for sauces (one is on potatos and it is DELICIOUS)

11. Cheese and Jelly is the pb and j equivelent here

12. Common card game: cuarenta.


13. you can make anything with platano (banana thing)

14. Gringo/a/ito/ita can be used as a term of endearment. (gringo is white person or foreigner) gordito/a can also be (more or less means chubby)

15. If you sneeze once you say salud (health), twice it is dinero (money) and third time it is amor (love)

16. they really love salsa de tomate (ketchup) and mayonesa (mayonese). a lot. I have even found bags of potato chips that come with packets!

17. Gordito/a is used for a term of endearment as well (means chubby more or less)

18. Hair Gel is pretty much a must for men

19. Men's jeans often have designs on the backpocket while women's jeans often lack backpockets

20. Lunch is the bigger meal

21. After a big lunch with families or friends they usually drink a little post dinner shot. But they sip the shot.

22. it was hard to find chocolate chips

23. They sell stuff on the street. Anything from fruit to brooms, sunglasses to cellphone charges. There are also a lot of street entertainers that juggle knives, balls, fire or dress up poorly as a robot

24. Rice is served at 90% of the meals. and I'm not even sick of it yet

25. To greet you kiss one time on the cheeck, this is also to say good bye

26. When people arrive somewhere they say hello to everysingle person individually and do the same as they leave. no big GOOD BYE with a wave here

27. Being a gringita the taxi drivers love to try and ripe me off. Unlucky for them I know better than to pay 10 bucks to get home (it should only be about 3 and 5 at the most) I also have improved my arguing skills.

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